http://www.nzherald.co.nz/climate-change/news/article.cfm?c_id=26&objectid=10694111&pnum=4

Comments are still open
—————————————————————————————————————————-
Cancun Agreements
.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – done deal
.
“This document, and hence all decisions contained therein, was adopted by consensus by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC at its sixteenth session in Cancun, Mexico. The COP comprises all UN Member States, hence when a COP decision is adopted there is no need for an annex containing signatories, nor is there a separate document.”
.
Ministry for the Environment – no deal
.
“It’s also worth noting that the Cancun Agreements do not constitute a draft treaty. Thus New Zealand, and 193 other countries have pledged support for the continuation of efforts to reach a global treaty rather than ‘signing up’ to a legally binding agreement. The government would need to carefully and cautiously consider the implications for New Zealand before deciding whether to sign and ratify any treaty that may come out of future negotiations. As occurred with previous agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty needs to undergo a thorough National Interest Analysis, public consultation and be approved by both Cabinet and Parliament in order to become legally binding on New Zealand.”
.
Trade or Environment?
.
Hmmm

Tuesday, 21 December 2010, 11:09 am
Press Release: United Nations

The United Nations climate change chief today called on countries to follow up on the recent conference in Cancún with higher global emissions cuts and the rapid launch of new institutions and funds.
…
“Cancún was a big step, bigger than many imagined might be possible. But the time has come for all of us to exceed our own expectations because nothing less will do,” said UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres.

She stressed that the ‘Cancún Agreements’ needs to be implemented as quickly as possible, and be accompanied by “credible accountability systems that will help in measuring real progress.”
…
“All countries, but particularly industrialized nations, need to deepen their emission reduction efforts and to do so quickly,” said Ms. Figueres.
…
Ms. Figueres stressed that these institutions must be launched quickly, noting that millions of poor and vulnerable people around the world have been waiting years to get the full level of assistance they need.
…
“I expect in particular to see rapid decisions on appointing the board of the new Green Fund and the Committee of the Technology Mechanism. I also look forward to receiving the details of fast-start financing from industrialized countries so the secretariat can compile the information that shows clearly the amounts that have been raised and are being disbursed,” she said.
…
“Cancún has significantly expanded the menu of climate implementation and resources available to countries under the United Nations,” said Ms. Figures. “The imperative to act is now.”
…
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also highlighted the achievements of the Cancún conference in a message to the closing ceremony for the International Year of Biodiversity, held in the Japanese city of Kanazawa on Saturday.

In particular, he noted the important agreement reached on REDD Plus, backed by the financial resources to implement it. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is an effort to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.
…

Continues…….

1) Paul Eastwood | Senior Advisor – Environment and Climate Change New Zealand Aid Programme / Environment Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

2) Roger Lincoln – Senior Policy Analyst, International Climate & Environment
Ministry for the Environment

The first that the Green Climate Fund and the Cancun Agreements were a done deal (1), the second that they were anything but (2).

Surprisingly, it’s the Environment Ministry report that says no deal yet.

A similar inquiry is being made to the equivalent Australian Climate Ministry by Wendy at JoNova, comment # 123 here:-

http://joannenova.com.au/2010/12/cancun-in-a-nutshell-nothing-achieved-but-its-a-big-pr-success/#comments

So we will be able to compare reports NZ-AU.

There’s already a difference in reports between those two NZ Ministries.

http://www.climateconversation.wordshine.co.nz/2010/12/vast-political-conspiracy/#comment-32949

This part seems to indicate an opportunity to present a non-ratification case:-

“The government would need to carefully and cautiously consider the implications for New Zealand before deciding whether to sign and ratify any treaty that may come out of future negotiations.”

In this process:-

“a treaty needs to undergo a thorough National Interest Analysis, public consultation and be approved by both Cabinet and Parliament in order to become legally binding on New Zealand.”

Maybe democracy is not yet dead in New Zealand.

I refer to your email regarding the Cancun climate change meetings. You’ve asked about the Green Climate Fund. There is no obligation yet for any country but note that a standing committee has been established to work through implementation details for the fund. The fund idea was born out of the Copenhagen Accord last year – as part of a balanced package of decisions on mitigation, finance, technology and adaptation.

It’s also worth noting that the Cancun Agreements do not constitute a draft treaty. Thus New Zealand, and 193 other countries have pledged support for the continuation of efforts to reach a global treaty rather than ‘signing up’ to a legally binding agreement. The government would need to carefully and cautiously consider the implications for New Zealand before deciding whether to sign and ratify any treaty that may come out of future negotiations. As occurred with previous agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty needs to undergo a thorough National Interest Analysis, public consultation and be approved by both Cabinet and Parliament in order to become legally binding on New Zealand.

The only country to disagree with the Cancun Agreements was Bolivia.

Regards. Roger

Roger Lincoln – Senior Policy Analyst, International Climate & Environment
Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao
DDI: 04 439 7633 Mob: 027 290 7625 Website: http://www.mfe.govt.nz
23 Kate Sheppard Place, PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143
——————————————————————————————————————–
Replied

Thank you Roger,

I am very much encouraged by this:-

[quote]

There were indications from my investigations so far that New
Zealand’s national interest was being circumvented.

Regards

Richard

August 2007

Parliamentary support, Research papers

SUMMARY

Introduction

Sovereignty

First Independent Steps

A Seventh Australian State?

1907

Trade Treaty

The Balfour Declaration

De Facto, Not De Jure, Independence

Statute Of Westminster

An “Unnecessary Legal Complication”

Wartime Necessities

New Zealand Day?

1947

Two Footnotes

1987

——————————————————————————————————————–
2010 The Cancun Agreements

Sounds like a good example of psychological projection to me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection

Cancun, as Richard C rightly alluded to, had little to do with the environment. I would put it to Thomas that so does his agenda.

Re your addled analysis.

“Hum, you are casting blame that somehow the GW fund will shovel money from the poor to the rich…. ?”

I hope in light of your confusion (and for your sake) that your comment below found at Global Warming Inc’s NZ Head Office is not a self diagnosis.

“Madness is a refuge of the bewildered”